Apparatus and method for grinding kitchen waste

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for grinding waste material, such as kitchen waste, includes a section for loading the waste material, a section for grinding the waste material, a collector for the ground waste, and a dispenser of controlled quantities of sanitizing or cleaning powder directly onto the waste material before or after grinding, or onto internal surfaces of the apparatus, to avoid formation of hazardous substances or unpleasant odors. The powder can be dispensed directly or by a flow of air, which could be generated for example by a rotor or piston mechanism. The flow of air could fluidize the powder for dispensing. The apparatus can be sized for location under a sink.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an apparatus for grinding organic waste,like kitchen waste that has to be collected and disposed of.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known apparatus of the field of the invention that grind the kitchenwaste to reduce its volume, are described in EP 1707270, inPCT/EP2007/005793 (not published), in Italian application PI2007/000050(not published).

These apparatuses achieve that an increased amount of ground waste canbe stored in disposal collectors, like the recyclable garbage bagscommonly used by the public. Furthermore, the resulting ground waste canbe more effective for composting processes, and thus provides animportant contribution to ecology.

The mentioned apparatuses foresee a cleaning cycle which uses a mixtureof water and sanitizing liquid. Once the cycle has been completed, themixture can be eliminated through a piping system which is connected toa collection container of the apparatus that can be emptied, or to thedrain system of the kitchen. Therefore, the apparatuses requireconnection to the water supply, and in many cases also to a drainsystem.

Sanitizing and cleaning of the equipment needs to be carried outthoroughly. Furthermore, the process and products for sanitizing andcleaning should not be harmful for the environment.

One of the inconveniences to be avoided in these types of machines isthat waste residues remain attached to the internal walls of theapparatus, which complicates cleaning of the surfaces where theattachment occurs.

However, the use of a mixture of water and sanitizing liquid needs tooccur frequently because the effect of the sanitizing liquid on thewalls is limited due to its evaporation and dripping away with the waterof the mixture.

The use of water and sanitizing liquid, together with the provision of acleaning cycle, require that the apparatus be positioned near a watersupply and a drain system of the kitchen. This can be a problem for whois not able to position the apparatus according to these requirements.

In addition, the use of cleaning and sanitizing liquid and the provisionof a cleaning cycle require that the apparatus be provided withsupplementary parts like internal valves or containers for deviating theliquids towards the drains and the collection devices. Thesesupplementary parts increase the space occupancy of the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for grindingsolid portions of the waste, like kitchen waste wherein more simplifiedand less task of cleaning is possible for surfaces exposed to contactwith the waste.

It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus forgrinding solid portions of the waste, like kitchen waste, wherein thedecomposition of the waste is controlled by using predeterminedquantities of cleaning or sanitizing products.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such an apparatuswherein the effect of the cleaning or sanitizing products on theinternal surfaces of the machine lasts longer.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such an apparatuswherein it is no longer necessary to perform cleaning/sanitizing cycleswith liquid products.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such an apparatusthat does not require connection to the water supply or to a drainsystem for liquids.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such an apparatushaving a reduced size, and which can be positioned in kitchens wherelittle space is available.

Theses and other object are achieved with the apparatus of claim 1 ofthe present application.

In substance, the apparatus foresees a loading section for loading thewaste material that needs to be treated, a grinding section for grindingthe waste material that has been loaded, means for collecting the solidwaste that has been ground, means for dispensing controlled quantitiesof powder for sanitizing and/or cleaning.

The predetermined quantities of powder can be dispensed on the wastematerial present in the loading section and/or on the surfaces of theloading section. Furthermore, the powder can be dispensed on the wastematerial that has been ground and is collected in the collecting means.

In particular, the powder comprises known powder compounds, for examplebiological types consisting of enzymes, which avoid transformation intosubstances that are hazardous for the health or are a source of badsmell. For example, although not exclusively, powder composition can beused containing proteinaceous nitrogen, enzymes, vitamins,micro-elements, macro-elements or compositions like those described inEP 0878202, based on bacteria and enzymes, used for sanitizing anddeodorizing road side garbage containers.

The powder dispensed on the parts of the apparatus, like the walls ofthe loading section and the grinding means reduce the possibility ofattachment of the waste to the treated surfaces. In fact, the powderremains attached to the surfaces and there forms a protective veil wherethe waste will contact without becoming attached, or if attachmentoccurs, cleaning will be easier during an eventual cleaning cycle thatoccur periodically. In particular, the enzymes reduce the possibilitythat the waste remains attached to the internal walls of the apparatus,thereby simplifying cleaning of those surfaces that come in contact withthe waste.

An embodiment of the invention foresees a powder feeding unit comprisinga ventilator and a member for fluidizing the powder. The ventilatorproduces a flow of air that fluidizes a powder bed. A mixture of air andpowder is formed over the bed. The mixture is conveyed to variouslocations of the apparatus. For example, the mixture can be conveyed tothe loading section and/or to the collection section for the groundwaste.

In the loading section of the waste, a distributor can spray the mixtureof air and powder on the loaded waste, or on the surfaces of theapparatus that are not in contact with the waste.

A nozzle system can be foreseen near the collecting means for sprayingthe powder on the ground waste, when the latter is being collected inthe collecting means.

A second embodiment foresees a rotating surface that is capable ofproducing an air flow, which engages the particles of powder and spraysthem in a distributed manner on the surfaces of the apparatus.

A third embodiment foresees that the user of the apparatus actuates apiston mechanism for creating a flow of air which sprays the powder inthe apparatus.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided forgrinding organic waste, like kitchen waste, as defined in claim 14.

The apparatus of the invention can be used as a stand alone unit withthe advantage that it can be positioned in a variety of locations seeingthat water or drain connections for liquids may not be required.

Furthermore, the apparatus of the invention can be foreseen withoutrequiring supplementary parts, like internal valves or containers fordeviating the liquids towards the drains and collection devices, orthese parts can result more simple and reduced in dimensions.

According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for grindingwaste comprises a section for loading the waste; a section for grindingthe waste; a section for collecting the waste; and the characteristicthat the apparatus can be positioned under the sink unit of a kitchen.In particular, the apparatus has a depth between 30 and 54 cm, a heightbetween 40 and 75 cm and a width between 15 and 60 cm. Preferably, theapparatus has a height which is less than 50 cm.

In a preferred embodiment, the loading section comprises a portion thatis extractable from a fixed structure, therefore the waste can be loadedin the loading section from above by extracting the extractable portionfrom under the sink unit. The apparatus that can be positioned under thesink unit foresees means for dispensing predetermined quantities ofsanitizing/cleaning powder on the waste or on the internal surfaces ofthe apparatus.

The apparatus of the invention can also foresee, for certainembodiments, cleaning cycles using liquids and relative draining of theliquids. However, the cleaning cycles can be performed less frequentlyand more effectively due to the use of powder which impedes the wastefrom attaching to the internal walls.

Furthermore, the apparatus according to the invention can be providedwith a collection container for the ground waste, which is connected tothe structure of the apparatus by means of a sealing joint to avoid thatbad smell escapes. At the same time, the container is easily removed andconnected to the apparatus when operations of emptying the ground wasteare required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and the advantages of the apparatus according tothe invention will result from the following description of somespecific embodiments, which are made for exemplary reasons and withoutbeing limitative, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an elevation partial section view of an apparatus for grindingwaste, illustrating a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a prospective view as seen from direction 2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section view as seen from directions 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 a is a section view as seen from directions 3A-3A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a partial section view similar to a portion of the view ofFIG. 1 illustrating a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial section view similar to a portion of the view ofFIG. 1 illustrating a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial section view similar to the view of FIG. 1illustrating the apparatus of the invention positioned in the space,like is available under the sink unit of kitchens.

FIG. 7 is a view as seen from direction 7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a partial section view similar to the view of FIG. 1illustrating the apparatus of the invention with a collection containerconnected to the apparatus in a sealed manner.

FIG. 9 is a prospective view as seen from direction 9 of FIG. 8illustrating the solution for connecting the collection container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, kitchen waste W can be placed by a user inbasin 10 of loading section 11. From this position the waste can fall bygravity on the surface of grinding rollers 12 (shown with dashed linerepresentation in FIG. 1). The grinding rollers can be like thosedescribed in above mentioned Italian application. The waste that hasbeen loaded in basin 10 is conveyed towards the central area of therollers so that grinding can occur.

The ground waste that exits the rollers from side 13 falls for examplein a bag (not shown) placed in collection bin 15. Any liquid waste thatis passed in the loading section can drip through the spacing existingbetween the rollers 12, and thus reach the collection bin 15.Alternatively, a liquid collection system (not shown) can be present onside 13 for collecting the liquid in a container which is connected to adischarge tube of the apparatus, like has been described in the abovementioned applications cited in the introductory part of thedescription.

The powder dispensing solution as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 a foresees aunit 14 for feeding the powder, which comprises chamber 16, ventilator17 and piping 18. Unit 14 is assembled on a trolley structure 26 (FIGS.1 and 3), which also supports bin 15

Ventilator 17 is connected by means of conduit 17′ to member 19 forfluidizing the powder (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Member 19 is positioned nearthe bottom of chamber 16. Member 19 can be a tube with bores facing theoverhead space of chamber 16. Chamber 16 is provided with a loadingchannel 21, which can be opened at entrance 21′ by removing tap 16′.This allows the user to load the powder through channel 21.

At the bottom of channel 21, a motorized valve 22 can releasepredetermined quantities of powder in chamber 16 to guarantee that apredetermined level of powder bed PB is present over fluidizing member19. The air flow coming from ventilator 17, and which is distributed bymember 19, fluidizes the powder bed PB. This creates a mixture of airand powder PM which fills space A above the powder bed.

Due to a sufficient pressure produced by ventilator 17, the mixture ofair and powder PM flows though piping 18 to reach distributor 20 presentin the loading section and the nozzle system 25 located in thecollecting section of the waste, as shown in FIG. 1.

Distributor 20 is located over basin 10 where waste to be treated isloaded (see FIG. 1). Distributor 20 is provided with outlet openings 20′that allow the mixture of air and powder PM to be uniformly sprayed inloading section 11. In this way, the powder can be deposited on wastepresent in basin 10, or on the exposed surfaces of the apparatus.

The mixture PM also reaches nozzle system 25 for dispensing the powderon ground waste material that is deposited in bin 15. Depositing thepowder on the ground waste can be an alternative to depositing powder onthe waste in the loading section, or it can be an additional measure toincrease prevention of the formation of hazardous substances and sourceof bad smell.

When the waste is not present in basin 10, the powder can be sprayed bydistributor 20 so that it deposits on the walls of basin 10, and also onthe surfaces of grinding rollers 12. The grinding rollers 12 can berotating when this occurs. This exposes all the surfaces of the grindingrollers to the spray of powder.

Control unit 23 of the apparatus can be programmed to activateventilator 17 when spraying of the powder needs to occur in loadingsection 11 and through nozzle system 25. Control unit 23 can alsoactivate valve 22 for delivering the powder in chamber 16 so that thelevel of bed PB is maintained constant.

Valve 22 can be provided with compartments 22 a-22 d located around axle22 e, like is shown in FIG. 3 a. Predetermined volumes of powder filleach compartment 22 a-22 d for being intermittently dropped into chamber16 by means of rotation of axle 22 e caused by motor drive 24 andcontrol unit 23. The rotations of axle 22 e are started and stopped bycontrol unit 23 to maintain the predetermined level of the powder bed PBin chamber 16. Sensors (not shown) can detect the level of the powderbed, and therefore cause motor drive 24 to rotate valve 22. Furthersensors (not shown) can detect the level of powder present in loadingchannel 21 and therefore signal requirement of replenishing unit 14 withpowder.

The timing that ventilator 17 remains actuated is controlled by controlunit 23. This timing can influence the quantity of powder that becomessprayed in the apparatus by distributor 20 and by nozzle system 25.Control unit 23 can be programmed, for example, for causing dispensingof powder at regular intervals of the working time of the apparatus, orbased on the occurrence of working cycles of the apparatus.

The user can easily reach entrance 21′ of channel 21 by drawing trolleystructure 26 in direction 26′. This will result in aligning entrance 21′with the user present outside the apparatus. Trolley structure 26 isdrawn in direction 26′ also for allowing the user to access collectionbin 15 when needing to remove the ground waste from the apparatus.

The user can directly actuate dispensing of powder on behalf of unit 14by actuating a switch of control unit 23. Furthermore, the user canchange the number of cycles for dispensing the powder, the timing thatventilator remains operative, and the timing that valve 22 remainsactivated. All this for modifying the conditions and quantity of powderbeing dispensed in the apparatus.

A deviation valve 18′ activated by control unit 23 can deviate flow ofpowder between piping going to distributor 20 and piping going to thenozzle system 25, or can maintain the flow in both piping.

A further embodiment of the invention for dispensing powder in theloading section is shown in FIG. 4. The solution of FIG. 4 can be a unit40 located overhead the loading section in central area 41, see FIG. 1.

Unit 40 does not require an air flow for dispensing the powder. Thepowder P can be stored in loading chamber 30 of unit 40. A calibratedopening 31 at the bottom of chamber 30 communicates with channel 32 ofthe support structure 33 of unit 40. Channel 32 has a calibrated opening32′ which communicates with a second channel 34 of support structure 33.

A predetermined quantity of powder 49 can fall through opening 31 intochannel 32 when push shaft 47 moves rearwards in direction X′ to openopening 31 towards channel 32.

Channels 32 and 34 are parallel to each other and extend longitudinallyin direction X. Channel 34 is located below channel 32. Opening 32′ islocated more forward than opening 31 in direction X.

Opening 34′ near to the end of channel 34 communicates with area 35 ofsupport structure 33. Area 35 has a conical configuration which expandsfrom opening 34′ towards basin 10.

A rotor 36 having a conical configuration is located in section 35.Rotor 36 is supported by shaft 37, which is assembled on bearings 38located in support structure 33. Shaft 37 is rotated by motor 39 so thatrotor 36 is rotated around central axis 40′ of section 35.

Actuator member 42 has a rack portion 42′ which engages pinion 43 ofmotor 44. Bidirectional rotations of motor 44 translate member 42backwards and forwards, i.e. respectively in directions X and X′. Rod 45is an extension of member 42, and translates in channel 32 for the sametranslations accomplished by member 42. Similarly, pusher rod 46 is anextension of member 42 and translates in channel 34 for the sametranslations accomplished by member 42. Pusher rod 47 is more forwardthan pusher rod 45 in channel 32, whilst spring 48 is assembled betweenrod 45 and rod 47.

FIG. 4 shows an operative instant of unit 40, in which rod 46 is pushinga predetermined quantity of powder 49 through channel 34. The pushingdirection is X towards opening 34′ of section 35. When the powderreaches opening 34′, it falls on rotor 36 which is rotating around axis40′. The engagement of the powder on the rotor that is rotating causesthe powder particles to be launched out of section 35, and thereforedispenses the powder particles into loading section 11.

The predetermined quantity of powder 49 reaches channel 34 in a previousstage when rod 47 has pushed the powder along channel 32 to make it dropthough opening 32′. In an even previous stage, rod 47 has beensufficiently moved in direction X′ to clear opening 31, and therefore toallow the predetermined quantity of powder to drop from loading chamber30 into channel 32 through opening 31.

As shown in FIG. 4, spring 48 allows rod 47 to engage the end of channel32 and at the same time allows rods 45 and 46 to continue to translatein direction X, when rod 46 needs to push the powder in channel 34towards opening 34′.

The sequence of translation of rods 45, 47 and 46 are caused by thesequence of rotations of motor 44, which can be controlled by controlunit 23 to guarantee that predetermined quantities of powder are pushedand caused to fall on rotor 36, or the user of the apparatus candirectly activate motor 44 by means of switches of control unit 23 forcausing the predetermined quantity of powder to be pushed and made tofall on rotor 36.

Unit 60 shown in FIG. 5 is a further embodiment that can be applied fordispensing powder in the loading section 11. With unit 60, the userpresses on piston 61 to move it in air tight chamber 62. In this way aan air flow is caused through piping 63 which pressurizes chamber 64.

Slide member 65 is like a piston member which can translate in chamber64 due to the push obtained by the pressurized air coming from chamber62. Slide member 65 has passage 65′ which can be aligned with opening 66of powder reservoir 67, as shown in FIG. 5. The alignment of passage 65′with opening 66 causes a predetermined quantity of powder to fillpassage 65′.

The air flow caused by the user pressing piston 61 translates member 65in direction X′, which therefore aligns passage 65′ both with passage 70and with air exit 71. During the translation of member 65, entrance 72of by pass duct 73 is opened to deviate a portion of air flow to reachair exit 71.

Passage 70 is an exit for spraying the powder in loading section 10.Diffusion members at the exit of passage 70, enlarged section 74 andcone 75, cause the powder to be sprayed out from passage 70 onto a vastarea of the loading section. Therefore, when passage 65′ is aligned withpassage 70 and air exit 71, the air leaving 71 sprays the powder out ofpassage 65′ through passage 70 and into the loading section 11.

During translation of slide member 65 in direction X, spring 76 becomespreloaded. When piston 61 is released, the preload of the springtranslates slide member 65 in opposite direction X to bring slide memberback into engagement with cap member 62′, thereby returning thesituation to the condition of FIG. 5

Distributor 20 and units 40,60 can be assembled in a portion 50 of theapparatus structure (see FIG. 1). Portion 50 of the apparatus structurecan function as a lid for allowing access and for closing the loadingsection 11. The lid can be rotated by means of hinges (not shown) indirections Y and Y′, respectively for opening and closing the loadingsection. Piping 18 will have a suitable rotation joint (not shown) toallow the rotation of the lid.

Even though the apparatus described in the various embodiments isforeseen for use as a stand alone unit, with the advantage that it canbe positioned in a variety of locations without requiring connections tothe water supply or the drain for liquids, in some cases it should notbe excluded to have cleaning cycles and related draining of liquids likeis described in EP 1707270 and the two mentioned applications. In fact,the use of powder achieves savings in energy, water and sanitizing andcleaning liquids, which can be used during limited periodic cycles ofcleaning of the machine.

As shown in FIG. 6, the apparatus is positioned below a sink unit 81 andcomprises the loading section 11, the grinding unit 12, the collectioncontainer 15 and eventually even the devices for collecting the liquids(not shown). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 apparatus A can be positioned inthe lowest area under the sink unit 81 and more precisely under one ofthe sinks 80. The position of the apparatus A can be to one side withrespect to the siphon 82 that is required for connection to drain 83.The overall height H of the apparatus A is less than 50 centimeters.

For loading of the waste W in section 11 of FIG. 6 (see arrow C) andemptying of the waste container 15, the user can extract from theapparatus (see movement represented with arrow F) both the loadingsection with the grinding section (see the external position of theloading section and the grinding section represented with the dashedline contour 11′ and 12′, respectively) and the collection container forthe waste 15 (see the position of the collection container representedwith the dashed line contour 15′). The extraction of the members 11, 12,15 and their return to the inside position to start the grindingoperation occurs respectively by pulling and pushing on the fronthandles of the apparatus. In this way members 11, 12, 15 move in thedirections of arrows F and F′.

In the section view of FIG. 8 the container for the waste 15 is incontact with the surface 70′ of the frame 70 in order to become sealedand thereby avoid bad smell from escaping. Surface 70′ is provided withsealing member 71, which is seated in frame 70. Frame 70 can be aportion of the structure where passage of ground waste to reachcontainer 15 occurs. Container 15 is maintained in contact with surface70′ by means of locking members 72 (see FIG. 9), which can be actuatedrapidly, as more fully illustrated in FIG. 9.

In FIG. 9, for reasons of illustration, the front panel of the apparatushas been removed and container 15 is shown in the external position ofthe apparatus, like is the condition represented by dashed line contour15′ of FIG. 6. In FIG. 9, two locking members 72 can be seen on one sideof container 15. Another two locking members are on the opposite side ofthe container and are not visible in FIG. 9.

The locking members 72 are hinged to respective levers 74, which are inturn hinged to container 15. Each locking member 72 hooks onto arespective hook 73 positioned on frame 70. The locking members arehooked onto the hooks and pulled by manually rotating levers 74 aroundpins where each lever results hinged on container 15. By rotating thelevers in direction 74′, the top face of container 15 is pulled againstsurface 70′, and therefore against sealing member 71 to form the sealedjoint.

The foregoing description of specific embodiments will so fully revealthe invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others,by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt forvarious applications such an embodiment without further research andwithout departing from the invention, and it is therefore to beunderstood that such adaptations and modifications will have to beconsidered as equivalent to the specific embodiment. The means and thematerials to realise the different functions described herein could havea different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field ofthe invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology orterminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not oflimitation.

The invention claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for grinding waste material to bedisposed of in a kitchen environment comprising; a loading section witha container for the waste material that needs to be ground; a grindingsection with a grinder for the waste material; a collecting section forthe solid waste that has been ground; and a dispenser of predeterminedquantities of sanitizing/cleaning powder onto the waste material or ontothe internal surfaces of the apparatus, the dispenser comprising: asprayer, a reservoir where the powder is loaded and stored in theapparatus, a passage for the powder between the reservoir and thesprayer, a feeder of the powder from the reservoir to the sprayer viathe passage, and a controller that causes the feeder to feed thepredetermined quantities of the powder to the sprayer.
 2. Apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the sprayer is located in the loading section. 3.Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sprayer is located in the collectingsection.
 4. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the feeder comprises aventilator and fluidizes the powder.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 whereinthe powder forms a powder bed and the ventilator produces a flow of airthough the powder bed for producing a fluidized mixture of air andpowder that is conveyed to the sprayer.
 6. Apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe dispenser comprises a distributor for spraying the powder into theloading section.
 7. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sprayer comprises anozzle system for spraying the powder into the collecting section. 8.Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dispenser further comprises a moveablesurface for engaging the powder to spray the powder into the loadingsection.
 9. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dispenser is part of amoveable lid of the loading section.
 10. Apparatus of claim 1 whereinsanitizing/cleaning is accomplished without use of liquid to be disposedof through a drain.
 11. Apparatus of claim 1 comprising a collectioncontainer as part of the collection section and a seal between thecollection container and the apparatus.
 12. Apparatus of claim 1characterized in that the apparatus can be positioned under the sinkunit of a kitchen.
 13. Apparatus of claim 12 wherein the apparatus has adepth between 30 and 54 cm, a height between 40 and 75 cm and a widthbetween 15 and 60 cm.
 14. Apparatus of claim 12 wherein the height ofthe apparatus is less than 50 cm for locating the apparatus below thesink of the sink unit.
 15. Apparatus of claim 12 wherein the loadingsection comprises a portion that is extractable from a fixed structurefor loading waste in the loading section from above by extracting theextractable portion from under the sink unit.